by Silva Payne

Created on: April 13, 2009

If there is one mantra you need to remember when planning your wedding menu, it is "you cannot please all of the people, all of the time". No matter how carefully you select foods, or how well you think you know your guests preferences, there will always be someone who wont eat part (or even all) of what you choose to give your guests for their meal. That does not mean however, that you should be unsympathetic to the various food allergies and intolerances that that your guests may have, but keep in mind that it is ultimately your big day and they can always fill up on outside food before or afterwards if they really need to. You should ask for any specific dietary requirements to be indicated on the acceptance cards, to give you some fore warning, but accommodating one or two nut allergies and a vegetarian does not mean you have to drastically alter your dream menu for everyone else.

The timing of your wedding will in many ways dictate the types of food you offer, both with seasonal produce and because of the time of day that your guests will be eating. Your budget will be another important deciding factor, along with the style of your wedding. Traditionally there are two options: the buffet and the sit-down meal. With a buffet, different food preferences are much easier to cater for, but often buffets can work out more expensive and there is more likely to be food left over that either needs to be stored, donated, or thrown away. It is a good choice for early morning weddings, as a buffet breakfast can be offered with hot and cold items. Outdoor sunrise weddings particularly favour this option, as guests may well have eaten a light breakfast some hours before the ceremony and be ready for a more substantial meal around 9 or 10am. Buffets are also a good idea for mid afternoon weddings, as guests may have had a large lunch before the ceremony, and guests at most evening celebrations expect to have some kind of food available to help soak up the flowing alcohol while they dance and mingle!

Sit-down meals usually result in less overall wasted food, and are generally easier to budget for. Catering companies usually have set menus for different price ranges that you can select from initially, and then will adjust the final price depending on any substitutions you require. Many couples trust the judgement of the caterer in selecting foods that compliment each other, as this is one area that neither bride or groom have much experience in.

If there will be children

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